accompanied by obedience to Allah, undertaken in light from Allah. If, however, a person persists in negligence and wrongdoing, immersing himself in sins and acts of disobedience while hoping for Allah’s mercy without performing any deeds, this is self-delusion, wishful thinking, and false hope. Hence, one of the early Muslims said: “Fear and hope are like the two wings of a bird: when they are balanced, the bird remains balanced and its flight is complete; when either is deficient, its flight is impaired; and when both are gone, the bird is on the verge of death.”

With this, I ask Allah, the Most Generous, to enable us and you to realize these sublime spiritual stations of love, fear, and hope; to make us among those who worship Allah out of love for Him, hope for His reward, and fear of His punishment; and to help us perfect them and duly uphold them. He indeed hears every supplication. He is the One in whom hope is rightly placed, and He is sufficient for us and the best Disposer of affairs.